New England Patriots News 3-8 and AFC East Notes

Steve Balestrieri

Mar 8, 2015 at 5:29am ET

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The Patriots will have big shoes to fill in replacing DT Vince Wilfork. (USA TODAY Images)

Cutting Ties to a Legend, Wilfork Let Go: While not unexpected the news of Vince Wilfork’s release by the Patriots declining on his option for 2015 still is a bit of a shock. He was due a $4 million dollar roster bonus on March 10 and that would have kicked in not only this season’s $8.9 million dollar cap hit but an additional $6.4 million in 2016.

But outside of just money for the past 11 years, Wilfork was a huge presence both on and off the field. Routinely asked to take on multiple blockers in the Patriots two-gap system, he was never the double-digit sack master but was a linebacker’s dream. Especially on early downs clogging the lanes and allowing them to make plays.

His leadership was unquestioned; he knew the calls for not only the defensive line but the linebackers and secondary as well. And he was always accountable win or lose. The iconic image of Wilfork with his arms upraised after Malcolm Butler's interception in the Super Bowl will be a lasting one.

So with the $8 million cap savings in hand, the Patriots have the cash to retain either Darrelle Revis or Devin McCourty, perhaps both. But they have a huge void in the middle of the line. They like Sealver Siliga but other than him they need another run stuffing presence. Alan Branch is a free agent, Chris Jones is best on passing downs and last year’s #1 pick Dominique Easley isn’t a two-gapper. He’s a slightly undersized, penetrating presence…and one who is coming off of a serious knee injury.

Look for the team to address the absence of Wilfork in free agency and perhaps in the draft as well. But whoever they bring in will have mighty big shoes to fill.

Watching And Waiting on the Revis Front: There has been no news on either an extension for CB Darrelle Revis or if in fact that the Patriots have declined their option and have made him a free agent. With a $25 million dollar cap looming, the chances of the Patriots paying that has always been slim. So what happens now is we wait to see how it all plays out.

The Patriots may be planning on waiting until the last minute to decline their option and still try to hammer out an agreement the talented corner. But once Revis hits the free agency market, expect the price of retaining his services to rise quickly.

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports that the top two suitors will come down to the Patriots and the Jets, but as we’ve seen before, these situations quickly take on a life of their own and don’t be surprised if one or more other teams become involved.

No News is Not Necessarily Good News For Keeping McCourty: As in the situation with Revis, nothing new has been learned on the contract situation with Devin McCourty. With the legal tampering period having begun on Saturday, teams are free to start courting prospective players.

And McCourty is among the most coveted of free agents, as the Patriots FS is an unquestioned leader both on and off the field. In his five years, he’s become an important cog in the Patriots defense, first as a Pro Bowl corner, now as a Pro Bowl safety and a quarterback for the defense.

McCourty has taken on a more vocal role as he’s grown into his leadership role. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe wrote a terrific piece on the void that would be created if both Wilfork and McCourty were to leave the Patriots.

So to recap both the Revis and McCourty situations recall a quote from Bette Devis in a film classic, All About Eve, “Fasten your seatbelts, it is going to be a bumpy night.”

Gostkowski Extension Means Stability, Now And…: The Patriots used their franchise designation tag on kicker Stephen Gostkowski which he signed on Friday keeping him here in New England for at least the 2015 season.

The $4.59 million dollar tender for this season can still be re-negotiated up until July 15 for a longer term deal, which the Patriots will probably try to work out for the Pro Bowl kicker. Gostkowski has hit on 86.9 percent on his field goals in his career and has been outstanding the past two seasons hitting on 92.7 and 94.6 percent respectively. In 2014 he missed on only two of 37 attempts, one of those being on a bad snap.

The Patriots released the following statement on Gostkowski. "Stephen has been extremely productive and a vital component to our success since joining our team in 2006," the team said in a statement. "Utilizing the franchise designation allows both sides more time to try to reach an agreement, which is the goal."

Patriots Rumors to WRs Abound: The Patriots continue to be the destination of many of the free agent wide receivers in the league’s rumor mill. Among the names floated about continue to be Percy Harvin of the Jets, Andre Johnson of the Texans, Torrey Smith of the Ravens and Brian Hartline who was cut loose by the Dolphins.

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote on Thursday that stated, "Hartline, the Canton, Ohio, native, is still seriously considering the Browns even though he also has strong interest and possibly even solid offers from the Texans, Bears and Patriots, a source told Northeast Ohio Media Group."

If the team were to bring in any of these WRs, it would probably have to come at the expense of Danny Amendola who is due a $4 million dollar base salary in 2015. Amendola provided solid special teams play and good production in the playoffs enroute to the Patriots Super Bowl win over the Seahawks. This should prove interesting as free agency unfolds as to what the team’s moves will prove to be.

Eastbound and Down…..News from around the AFC East

Bills Trade for LeSean McCoy: Buffalo pulled off a big trade this week after getting RB LeSean McCoy from the Eagles for LB Kiko Alonso. The move immediately pays dividends for the Bills running game as McCoy is still very effective despite getting some wear and tear on his body, having gained over 1300 yards on the ground in 2014.

The flip side is the money situation and McCoy’s feelings on the trade. According to reports sources close to McCoy stated that the running back was far from pleased to be traded to Buffalo and wants his contract tweaked. McCoy is slated to earn a base salary of $9.75 million, with a $250,000 per-game roster bonus, and a $250,000 workout bonus, creating a total cap figure of $10.25 million.

But his salaries for 2016-17, slated to be $7.15 million and $7.85 respectively, are not guaranteed. So GM Doug Whaley is currently reportedly in negotiations with McCoy and his agent and trying to work a long-term deal.

Cassel Brings Stability to QB position for 2015: In a bridge year move, the Bills traded two draft picks to Minnesota for QB Matt Cassel. Cassel, now in his 11^th season, will be joining his fourth team after previous stops with the Vikes, Chiefs and as Tom Brady’s backup with the Patriots.

With Kyle Orton’s retirement and EJ Manuel being far from a lock with the new regime, the Bills needed a steadying influence behind center and Cassel brings them that. His presence will either give the Bills time to find a new franchise QB in 2016 or allow Manuel to finally step into the role.

The Bills, who don’t have a first round pick in the 2015 draft, reportedly gave up a fifth-round pick in 2015 and a seventh-rounder in 2016 in the deal for the veteran quarterback. In return Minnesota gives up Cassel and a sixth-round pick this season.

Jets Pull Off Trade With Chicago Bring in Brandon Marshall: In a move that instantly upgrades the Jets wide receiving core to one of the better ones in the division, if not the league, the Jets traded a fifth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft to Chicago for WR Brandon Marshall.

Marshall, 31, has caught 100 passes in five separate seasons and at 6’4" will be a huge red-zone target, something the Jets lacked in 2014. Paired with Eric Decker, Jeremy Kerley and TE Jace Amaro, the Jets now have some dynamic weapons in the passing game.

So why would the Bears let go of the talented and productive Marshall so cheaply? Marshall is a known locker room distraction and his battles with his QBs are well known. That’s why he’s now on his fourth team in his career. So it will be interesting to see how Marshall interacts with Geno Smith, who has struggled thus far in his career.

This probably also means the end of the Percy Harvin era for the Jets. Harvin is another talented but equally divisive force in the locker room. Harvin is due $10.5 million in 2015 so he’ll undoubtedly be shown the door this week.

Jets Bring Back Harris on 3-Year Deal: The Jets kept a very important piece of their defense intact this week, agreeing on a three-year deal with ILB David Harris for a reported $21.5 million dollars with $15 million guaranteed in the first two years.

Harris, 31, was drafted out of Michigan in 2007 and has been the Jets leading tackler in seven of his eight NFL seasons. He was expected to draw heavy interest in free agency from the Bills and Coach Rex Ryan, who wanted to bring Harris with him to Buffalo.

A true three-down linebacker, Harris not only called the defensive signals but played in over 99 percent of the Jets defensive snaps, notching 101 tackles, 5.5 sacks in 2014.

Dolphins Plan On Making Big Push For Suh: The Miami Dolphins are expected to pull out all stops and bring in DT Ndamukong Suh once free agency begins. In doing so, the Fins plan on making him one of, if not the highest paid defensive linemen, in the NFL.

An offer for Suh is expected to be at least in the four-year $60 million guaranteed with at least $17 million a season ballpark for the four-time, first-team All-Pro defensive tackle.

Suh has said he wants to be the highest-paid defensive player in football, with a contract exceeding J.J. Watt’s six-year, $100 million deal with Houston. Watt’s deal includes $51.8 million in guaranteed money.

Suh would immediately upgrade the Dolphins run defense, which was mired 24^th in 2014. He also brings burst after the QB, notching 8.5 sacks, a lot for an interior DL.

With the offer to Suh, it would also be difficult for Miami to re-sign both impending free agents along the DL, Randy Starks and Jared Odrick. Odrick is another player rumored to be on the Patriots radar if he’s available.

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